Tubular lamp fixture



Feb. 23, 1,943. A. scHELGuNov TUBULAR LAMP FIXTURE Filed Feb. 6, 194]T--ITTHTW Geese@ sea- INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Feb. 23, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT ori-ice TUBULAR LAMP FIXTUREAlexander Schelgunov, Cleveland, Ohio Application February 6, 1941,Serial No. 377,690

8 Claims.

This invention relates to lamp ixtures, and more particularly, to a newand improved socket construction for electric lamps of the `double-endeddischarge type such as iiuorescent tubes.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a device forsupporting tubular lamps so constructed that the lamp is securely heldand cannot be accidentally displaced and yet may be easily and readilyinserted into and removed from the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a base and socketconstruction for tubular lamps which will hold a lamp rmly and securelywithout being itself rigidly attached to a support.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improvedbase and socket construction for tubular lamps which is simple andcompact in structure, relatively economical to manufacture and assemble,and attractive in appearance.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved devicefor supporting iluorescent lamps which incorporates a starter and anoperating switch for the circuit conveniently, compactly andinconspicuously in the structure thereof.

'Ihese and other objects of the present invention will become apparentand better understood from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein like referencecharacters designate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a tubular lamp fixture embodyingsockets constructed according to this invention and having a tubularlamp supported thereby;

Figure 2 is an enlarged side view partly in section of one of the socketelements;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary partially exploded perspective View of thetubular lamp ilxture shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 'is an enlarged side view partly in section of a modied socketconstruction for tubular lamps embodying a switch therein;

Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the socket structure illustratedin Figure 4.

With reference to the drawing and particularly to Figure 1, the tubularlamp fixture of the present invention comprises spaced socket members Iand II supporting therebetween a tubular lamp I3. The socket members maybe supported in any suitable manner; however, the constructionpreferably adapts itself to an in.

Each of the sockets I0 and II are generally of similar construction,differing in that the socket I0 embodies structure for accommodating anautomatic starter member I8 employed with fluorescent lamps, whereas thesocket I I includes a snap switch I9 of the usual construction forcontrolling the flow of electric current to the lamp. The two socketswith the foregoing exception being similar, it is believed that only oneneed be described in detail.

The socket Iii includes a substantially vtubular shell or housing 20 ofinsulating material having a closed end wall 2l through which extends acentral opening 22 in which may be disposed the starter I8 or switch I9as the case may be. The contact structure within the housing 2Dcomprises a pair of discs 23 and 2d spaced apart by a spacing member 25and maintained in position by means of a pair of threaded bolts 26extending through the end wall 2|. The face of the member 23`-isprovided with a pair of spaced openings 2l through which are adapted toproject the electrodes I5 of the lamp I3. The openings 2l have alignedtherewith sleeves 28 extending outwardly from the rear face of themember 23 and adapted to receive the electrodes I5, which sleeves areprovided with terminals 29. The opposed face of the member 24 isprovided with suitable electrical contacts -30 which are adapted to beengaged by the terminals 3! of the starter I8. Current is conveyed froma suitable source of supply by means of conduits 32 passing through anopening 33 in the wall of the housing l0 into the interior thereof. Theopen end of the housing is formed with a counterbore providing a seatfor a split resilient claw ring 34 which is provided with a plurality ofspaced resilient detents 35. When the end of the tube I3 is insertedinto the open end of the socket IIJ, the detents are adapted to engagewithin the groove I6 and bear against the flange I1 to prevent theaccidental removal of the end of the tube from the socket. However, aforce exerted longitudinally of thev tube will dislodge the detents fromthe grooves I6 and permit the end of the tube to be removed from thesocket.

With reference to Figures 4 and 5, there is disclosed a modified type ofsocket 40 which may be employed when the sockets are permanently securedto a supporting member or xture. 'I'he socket 4l) comprises. acylindrical housing 4| of insulating material having a closed end 42.The closed end 42 is provided with a central opening 43 through whichextends suitable control mechanism for a switch 44. Mounted within thehousing 4I is a base member 45 of insulating material, the forward endof which is circular in contour and forms a substantial transverse wall46 in the housing, terminating in a. rearwardly extending supportingprojection 46, The Wall 46 is provided wlth a pair of elongated slots 41which are adapted to slidably receive the electrodes l of a lamp i3. Thebase 45 is maintained in xed position within the housing by means of athreaded screw 4B extending through the wall of the housing 4 I.

Secured to the upper surface of the base 45 are angulated terminals 49which include upstanding spring jaws 50 aligned with openings 41 in theend wall 46. The screws 5| serve to attach the ends of suitableelectrical wires or conduits to the terminals 49. The base 45 isprovided with an upstanding lug 52 having a tapped opening 53 extendingthereinto. The forward end of the housing 4I is diametrically split toprovide a substantially semi-cylindrical cap 54 which is maintained inoperative relation with respect to its complemental part of the housing4i by means of a stud 55 threaded into the opening 53. An interlockingtongue and groove construction 56 on the cap 54 and projection 46facilitates the positioning of the cap 54. A circumferential inwardlyextending bead 51 formed on the housing 4i adjacent the open end thereofis adapted to engage within the groove I6 formed on the base member ofthe tubular lamp, to maintain the lamp Within the socket.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to obtain by LettersPatent is defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A socket for a tubular lamp having a tubular end base memberincluding spaced contact prongs extending parallel to the axis of thelamp, said socket comprising a tubular housing adapted to slidablyreceive the base of said lamp, means extending radially inwardly fromthe inner wall of said housing and adapted to circumferentially engagethe base of the lamp and maintain it against longitudinal displacementwithin said housing, a wall member having openings therethrough disposedintermediate the ends of said housing and adapted to receive said spacedcontact prongs when said lamp base is positioned in said housing, andcontacting members connected to electrical conduits adjacent said wallmember and adapted to engage said spaced prongs.

2. A socket for a tubular lamp having a tubular end base memberincluding spaced contact prongs extending parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the lamp, comprising a tubular housing adapted to slidablyreceive the base of said lamp, yieldable means extending radiallyinwardly from the inner wall of said housing and adapted to frictionallyengage at spaced circumferential points the base of the lamp andmaintain it against longitudinal displacement within said housing, awall member disposed intermediate the ends of said housing and havingopenings through which the spaced contact prongs extend when the lampbase is positioned in said housing, and contact members associated withsaid wall member and adapted to receive the spaced contact prongs andconnect the same to electrical conduits leading to a suitable source ofcurrent supply.

3. A socket for a tubular lamp having a base including spaced contactprongs extending from the end thereof, said socket comprising a tubularhousing having a removable wall portion adapted to be removed to allowthe base to be received in said housing, means extending radiallyinwardly from the wall portion of said housing and adapted tocircumferentially engage said base and maintain it against longitudinaldisplacement within said housing, a wall member having openingstherethrough disposed in said housing and adapted to receive said spacedcontact prongs when said lamp base is positioned in said housing, andcontact members connected to electrical conduits adjacent said wallmember and adapted to engage said spaced prongs.

4. A socket for a tubular lamp having a base including spaced contactprongs, said socket comprising a tubular housing having a removable wallportion to permit said base to be received in said housing, a slottedwall member disposed in said housing adapted to receive said spacedcontact prongs when said lamp base is positioned in said housing,contact members connected to electrical conduits adjacent said slottedwall member and adapted to engage said spaced prongs, and meansextending inwardly from the wall of said housing adapted to interenga gewith said base and maintain it against displacement within said housing.

5. A socket for a tubular lamp having a tubular end base memberincluding spaced contact prongs extending parallel to the longitudinalaxis of the lamp, said socket comprising a tubular member adapted toslidably receive the base of said lamp, yieldable means extendingradially inwardly from the inner wall of said housing and adapted tofrictionally engage at spaced circumferential points the base of thelamp and maintain it against longitudinal displacement within saidhousing, wall means intermediate said housing having openings forreceiving said spaced contact prongs, contact members carried by saidwall means in alignment with said openings and adapted to engage saidprongs.

6. A socket for a tubular lamp including spaced contact prongs, saidsocket comprising a housing adapted to slidably receive the base of saidlamp and having a removable wall portion, a base member disposed withinsaid housing having a slotted face adapted to slidably receive saidspaced contact prongs, contact members carried by said base member forengaging said spaced prongs. means extending inwardly from the innerwall of said housing to engage the base of the lamp and maintain itagainst displacement within said housing.

'7. A socket for a tubular lamp with a base including spaced contactprongs, said socket cornprising a housing adapted to slidably receivethe base of said lamp, a yieldable member Within said housing adapted tofrictionally engage said base and maintain it against longitudinaldisplacement within said housing, wall means disposed intermediate theends of said housing, one of said wall means being formed with openingsadapted to receive said contact prongs, contact members carried by saidwall means adapted to engage said prongs when positioned in saidopenings. and the other of said Wall means provided with terings andadapted to interengage circumferen- 10 tially with said bases forholding the same against longitudinal displacement therefrom, wall meanshaving openings therethrough disposed within said housings and adaptedto receive the spaced contact prongs on the bases of said lamp, andcontact members connected to electrical conduits adjacent said wailmeans and adapted to engage said spaced prongs.

ALEXANDER SCHELGUNOV.

